The tables at last year's Fur Ball were elegantly decorated and provided each guest the opportunity to donate to the Dawson County Humane Society.

The Dawson County Humane Society is set to host its annual Furball fundraiser from 6 - 11 p.m. on Oct. 11 at the Lakeview Center.

Banks and Shane will perform and local artists will donate artwork that will be for sale. Dinner and cocktails will be served.

The semi-formal, black-tie event aims to raise funds to cover the operation costs of the shelter. Last year, over $40,000 was raised.

“We have to advocate for these animals. They can’t speak for themselves or protect themselves,” said Dawson County Humane Society Director Kay Harris.

Attendees or groups can purchase “stray dog” tables or “cool cat” tables placed in the front of the venue for $1,000 to $1,200 each. Individual guests can purchase seats for $100. Guests can also sponsor kennels or rooms at the shelter.

“Hopefully this event will get the word out about the shelter. A lot of people don’t even realize we have one in Dawsonville,” said Harris.

Since the Humane Society is a nonprofit, 501c organization, all donations are tax deductible.

“We are here as a service to the community. We wanted to keep strays off the streets, find animals good homes and help get the overpopulation crisis under control. We promote responsibility, by educating people about spaying and neutering their pets,” said Brenda Lee, operations manager for the Dawson County Humane Society.

In addition to promoting adoption and educating pet owners, the humane society also inserts micro-chips into animals for $20, to prevent people from losing their pets.

“We hope the community will support us with funding and volunteers, so we can keep serving the community in this way,” she added.

The new Dawson County Humane Society Shelter opened April 1.

Currently, 175 animals are taking up residence at the shelter.

According to Lee, the fundraiser could not have come at a better time.

“We have been hit hard by the gas shortage and home foreclosure crisis,” explained Lee. “People who loose their homes surrender their pets to the shelter or are less likely to adopt a pet. The gas shortage prohibits people from volunteering or driving out here to adopt a pet,” explained Lee.

The humane society also makes weekly bus trips to PetSmart to showcase select animals and to promote adoption. Soaring gas prices have increased the cost of such trips.

“It’s a shame it’s becoming so difficult. We usually get between 12 and 15 pets adopted during those outings,” said Lee.

The humane society aims to raise enough money to cover many of these operational costs through this annual fundraiser. To purchase tickets, contact the society at (706) 265-9160.

“There are a lot of animal-lovers here in Dawsonville and we just hope they can come out to support us,” said Harris.